Hunting The Illusive White Truffle

Who's Ready To Truffle Hunt?

That seasonal walk in the woods to hunt for the "diamond in the kitchen" returns in October and November 2012. Hunting truffles, harvesting olives and picking porcini are some of the most enjoyable Italian rituals of the Fall. Brisk, clean air, Fall colors and a bounty of produce are some great memories.
ItalianVillaRentals.com offers its Umbrian Truffle Hunt. A three day - all inclusive* - food and culture focused immersion is perfect for not only foodies, but for those that simply want to enjoy while staying on an historic country estate 90 minutes from Rome. Perfect for retired individuals or groups; perfect for couples or individuals planning for a long weekend get away.

Three Full Days Of Food, Culture and Wine

First Day

You can tell he's a truffle hunter by his camouflage outfit.
Truffles don't have a chance. They never see him coming!

We join a professional truffle hunter (cavatore) on his morning hunt with his faithful dogs in the beautiful forests of Umbria. This will be followed by a Umbrian lunch at a farm, tasting the precious "diamonds" just harvested with a meal served with an Umbrian wine. In the afternoon, a visit to the Urbani Truffle Academy, perhaps Italy's most important processor and promoter of truffles. There will a guided tour and a presentation about their products ending with a tasting. In the evening, an unforgettable truffle based menu at Torre Orlando.

Day Two

Ahhh.the elusive white truffle.
A diamond in the rough.

A visit the Citta' di Castello region, where the famous white truffles are found. We'll visit a local manufacturer and its museum, Bianconi, and learn more about this amazing ingredient, described as "the most expensive food in the world". At the Bianconi Truffle Museum roll up your sleeves for a cooking class of truffle-based recipes, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, guests will learn about Umbrian wine production in the towns of Bevagna and Montefalco, visiting typical wineries and enjoying a wine tasting of 4 of the best red grapes of the region: Merlot, Rosso di Montefalco, the coveted Sagrantino and Sagrantino Passito. During the grape harvesting season (September-October), it will be possible to observe the various phases of the wine production. In the evening, dinner at the winery with local recipes, wild boar cold cuts, homemade pasta and venison stew accompanied with serious red wines.

Third Day

Oilve picking in November.

We will explore the Spoleto area, visiting this spectacular Medieval town, and have lunch at Apollinaire, a restaurant specializing in truffle recipes. This is a really cool place with its 12th century walls, wooden beams and atmosphere. The afternoon will be dedicated to another highlight of Umbrian gastronomic tradition, olive oil. Umbria is said to have some of the best olive oil in Italy...but then every region says that. With a visit the St. Emilian olive-tree (1,700 years-old) near Trevi, followed by an olive oil tasting at Decimi, probably the best producer of the region. During the olive harvesting period, in October and November, it will be also possible to visit an orchard and a mill and observe the various phases of olive oil production. On the last evening, dinner at La Torre Orlando with Medieval recipes.

Price start from Euro 980 per person, all inclusive with meals, wine, rental, and transfers including with pickup and drop off at Rome's Fiumicino. *Air not included. Drop us a line for a final price and which house you wish to stay.